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It’s not news that heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death worldwide. However, what is making news is the connection found between heart disease and breast cancer, a leading form of cancer.
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center assessed data collected between 2009 and 2020 from more than 19,000 breast cancer patients, with an average age of 73, and most were white. They found that nearly half of the women included in the study had some form of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, hypertension and/or arterial disease). Women with metastatic (or late-stage) breast cancer were on average 10 percent more likely to have had pre-existing cardiovascular disease, compared to patients with early-stage breast cancer, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. While 10 percent may not seem like a lot, it’s actually quite significant.
Currently, breast cancer prevention focuses on lifestyle, and early detection involves screenings. But if there’s a connection between heart disease and breast cancer, it should also include heart disease prevention and early detection, researchers recommended. They also suggested personalized screening strategies and more frequent breast cancer early detection screenings for those with some form of cardiovascular disease.
The cardiovascular and immune systems are integrated and communicate via hormones and chemical messengers (such as neurotransmitters and cytokines). Stress, sleep deprivation or nutritional deficiencies can cause imbalances between the two systems, leading to inflammation, cellular dysfunction and tissue damage that can compromise the immune system’s ability to stave off infections and other diseases. This includes the growth and spread of breast tumor cells, according to researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center.
This was an observational study, so more research is needed to define the link between the two diseases. And of course, a more diverse population should be studied and other risk factors like tobacco, diet and exercise history should be considered. Still, the study should serve as a reminder — work closely with your primary care doctor and be diligent about screenings, particularly if you are managing a heart-related issue.”
Insulin resistance which tends to go years undetected and hormone changes in the perimenopause years are known and showing increased connection to heart disease and breast cancer. So prevention of both diseases starts even before screening tests. In my practice we look for these risk signals regularly and individually address them.
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